District employees last week got their first glimpse of a long-awaited addition to Centreville Elementary School. Superintendent Chad Brady and nearly two dozen staff members were afforded the opportunity Friday to check out the still-under-construction lunch room and music room. The 5,155-square-foot addition is at the north end of the building and a part of the $17.1 million bond proposal …

Michigan Department of Transportation and contractor Anlaan Corp. have begun work to expand the U.S. 131 interchange with U.S. 131 Business Route in Kalamazoo County. The project includes adding new ramps from northbound U.S. 131 on to U.S. 131 Business Route and from U.S. 131 Business Route to southbound U.S. 131. Work on the $19 million investment began last week. …

St. Joseph County United Way set a record with the amount raised for its Campaign 2025 drive. During its annual celebration event Tuesday at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, the agency announced it raised more than $1.3 million over the course of its 12-month campaign. The amount exceeded its goal by more than $80,000. The top five corporate donors were: …

A state commission decided last week against a petition sought by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry to annex property from Lockport Township into the city. According to the Three Rivers Commercial-News, the State Boundary Commission denied Lowry’s request, which centered on a 38-acre parcel he owns off of Buckhorn Road. Lowry was interested in developing houses on the property had …

Michigan’s first pediatric death from the flu this season was recently reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The county in which the death occurred was not mentioned in a tri-county media release. The state and local agencies are urging residents to get vaccinated, as the state experiences a high …

Vicksburg Village Council members earlier this month approved a contract with a company hired to perform what village manager Jim Mallery called “a goose roundup.” During their Feb. 3 meeting, council members approved their annual contract with a company that specializes in the destruction of Canada goose nests and removal of eggs from nests in the Sunset Lake area. The …

Vicksburg Community Schools will be at the center of a comprehensive construction season this summer. During their Feb. 10 meeting, board of education members approved bids for $4.2 million worth of work. Upgrades and improvements will take place in various forms at each of the district’s five school buildings. Assistant Superintendent Steve Goss said the work is being funded from …

Four people were appointed to three different county panels last week. St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners took action on the matter during its monthly meeting Feb. 18. Stephen Wolf is now a member of the newly established Materials Management Planning Committee. Meanwhile, Fabius Township resident Eric Shafer was re-appointed to the county’s Board of Public Works. Also, Steve Zarza …

Colon Elementary School is preparing for “March is Reading Month” and it is appealing to the public for assistance. District officials said the annual event will bring together books and board games to complement its theme for 2025. At the end of the month, students will earn prizes for their reading achievements. The district has created an Amazon wish list …

Coldwater’s Branch County Memorial Airport is included as a recipient of funding through Michigan Aeronautics Commission and Michigan Department of Transportation. The one-time offer of $250,000 will be dedicated to construction of a 36-by-184-foot T Hangar. State officials said the grant is a portion of nearly $4 million awarded to 33 Michigan airports for a total of 44 improvement projects. …